Leftists, unite! There's still time.

The forces that orchestrated the removal of Dilma Rousseff without proof of any crime of responsibility—that is, those who carried out a parliamentary coup—have already coalesced. Geraldo Alckmin's candidacy has become the central figure around which the PR, PP, DEM, Solidariedade, and PRB parties, the so-called "Centrão" (center bloc), which is anything but centrist, will orbit. Electoral analysts calculate that Alckmin will receive more than half of the airtime for political advertising.

To complete the coup setup, all that's left is for the MDB to throw Henrique Meirelles overboard and join the PSDB candidate's campaign. But the MDB doesn't even need to get on the PSDB's platform for the people to know that Alckmin is Temer and Temer is Alckmin. The two are inextricably linked.

Among progressive forces, the obstacle to unity has not yet been removed. The PT, PDT, PSB, PCdoB, and PSOL are at odds and pursuing individual projects, contributing to the uncertainty of the political landscape, with just over 60 days until the elections. Having been overlooked in his foray into the center-right, Ciro Gomes launched his candidacy, appealing to the left. The PSOL also confirmed the candidacy of Guilherme Boulos, and Manuela D'Ávila stated this Monday, the 23rd, in Aracaju, that she will maintain her presidential candidacy with the PCdoB until there is unity on the left.

Through the Workers' Party (PT), former president Lula has repeatedly stated, via those visiting him in the Federal Police dungeon in Curitiba, that there is no way he cannot be a candidate. Even imprisoned, unjustly convicted in the second instance and liable to ineligibility under the Clean Record Law. The fact is that Lula has gained electoral support in these more than 100 days of political imprisonment. He could even win in the first round, if they let him run. His discourse is more left-leaning.

Within progressive forces, it should be natural for him to head the ticket in the presidential race. Not because of the PT's "power project," but because of the representativeness Lula finds in the electorate. While we respect the rights of Ciro, Boulos, and Manuela to present themselves as candidates, it is Lula that the voter wants to vote for. This is clear to all three pre-candidates in every poll their parties conduct. If Ciro had 40% of the electorate supporting him, declaring their vote for him, even if he were imprisoned, would he abandon his candidacy?

This moment calls for serenity, common sense, and consideration for the public interest of the Brazilian nation. If all projects serve to restore the rule of law, sovereignty, and the achievements of the people, all candidates should converge on the one who holds the most strength in this crucial battle. And whether we like it or not, fortunately or unfortunately, the owner of this strength goes by the name of Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and is locked up by the Authoritarian Bureaucratic State.